Hey guys
Been quite sometime since I posted as the car been running great. Have a '96 850 T Platinum Wagon with 143xxx on the clock.

Today after a stop at one of my customers offices, I came back to the car, hit the unlock button on the remote and got in. Placed key and tried to start and no cranking of the starter. All lights, fans, radio, etc came on, however, the gear shift was stuck in park. Turned off the key and turned it back on and this time the gear shift level would move to any gear position, and placed back into park and the still car would not start.

This went on for sometime. Called for the wife to come get me. She also called back and googled the problem on the internet. Someone told a guy to lock and unlock the car several times with the remote. I did that once again to no avail, car wouldn't start.

I waited another 1/2 hour and then I exited the car and locked and unlocked the car 5 times. Got in and placed the key in ignition and wow, the car started. Drove straight home.

Now at home, the car starts all the time.

anyone know what gives and how to find out what the culprit is? Many thanks, and BTW, I don't have a scanner to find the codes if that is necessary. Perhaps I could bribe a mechanic to run the scanner, but hey suggestions. One mechanic over the phone thought it might be the gear position relay and indicated that if it is, I could be into the job 400-500 bucks. That seems to step for a mechanically inclined guy like me. I can do that.

So help and assistance is geatly appreciated from all.

Ray in Oregon where it is raining already and snowing in the mountains.

 

Was your alarm tripped?

 

I have no idea. I was in calling on a customer. Came out to the car and experienced the problem. However, if it was, would locking and unlocking the doors several times reset the alarm? Also, if the alarm is tripped, does that prevent ignition?

Ray

 

Yeah, if the alarm is tripped, the car won't start, and locking and unlocking your car resets it.

 

Now the other part of my question was how many times do you need to lock and unlock? Reason, I locked and unlocked two different times. But the last time i stood there and locked the car, unlocked, locked, unlocked, lock, and then unlocked again. Got in and she started.

So do you have to do this several times?

 

if locking or unlocking is the culprit, I would think the amount of times would depend on the particular aftermarket immobiliser alarm you have (assuming aftermarket)

 

The car is factory equipped alarm. No aftermarket alarm system.